Recently I got the dreaded phone call that said “Your test results showed a slight change from last year. We need you to come in for more tests.” Actually as soon as I saw “Centra Health” come up on the caller ID I felt a pit in my stomach. Almost instantly my “worryometer” engaged and my future-tripping (as my boss calls it) kicked in. That’s when you start making up stories in your head about all the things that could go wrong. I envisioned being called back for a biopsy, sitting in a chair getting chemo and even lying in a hospital bed. I imagined the faces of my family and friends as I told them the bad news. Crazy—I know—but true.
Ironically as I sat waiting in my thin gown with tie closures waiting for my test results, I flipped through a magazine and stopped at an article on worry. There was certainly some interesting advice but I was too worried to remember any!
When I asked my friends to pray before the appointment I told them that I was “uneasy” because I didn’t want to admit that I was truly worried. Worry is a sin and I am certainly guilty. It’s on my long list of things I’m working on. Worry shows a lack of trust in God. When you think about it there is nothing that I can change by my worry.
The following is from Matthew Chapter 6 and is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34 NIV (emphasis mine)
I especially love verse 34 because it really hits home with me. That is the verse that should cure our “future-tripping”.
So, what are you worried about today? Is it your health or the health of a loved one? Maybe it’s your finances in these difficult times. With Christmas around the corner, you could be worried that you’ll get everything done in time. You’ve got shopping, decorating, visiting, baking, parties, wrapping, cards—ahhhh! Certainly not what Christmas should be about (but that’s another Musing).
When your thoughts turn to worry, take a moment to recognize it. Give the situation to God and then ask Him to give you peace about it. He is in control and can actually change the outcome. You and I can’t.
“Do not be anxious [worried] about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 NIV
Oh, and by the way, the test results were good. No worries (until next year!). Remember, I’m working on this too!
Have a great day!
Melanie